WCC news: Global Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula draws solidarity

As hundreds of people on the Korean Peninsula and across the world observed the Global Prayer for Peace and Reunification, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay preached a sermon entitled “Blessed Are the Peacemakers.”  Photo: NCCK 11 August 2025 He expressed the WCC’s deep sense of support and solidarity with people on the Korean Peninsula as they continue to hold out in hope and anticipation of the vision and work of reunification and peace for all Korea. “It is pleasing to know that the new government leadership is willing to pursue dialogues to this end, but it is clear that the doors are not yet open to these endeavours,” said Pillay “Nevertheless, as children of God we continue to move forward in hope and anticipation that one day our prayers would find fulfilment and joy.” Pillay noted that we live in a world riddled with violence, conflicts, and wars. “We think might is right and power is the use of force to get what we want,” he said. “God calls us to proclaim the good news of salvation, but this is deeply interconnected with the transformation of society and the world.” The task of the peacemaker, Pillay reflected, is to preserve peace where it is and to restore it where it is not. “The task of the peacemaker is to reconcile people to God as they point to the saving grace and love in Jesus Christ and to reconcile people to one another and to all creation,” he said. “Why must we be peacemakers?” During the sermon, he uses scripture to answer this question while urging people not to lose vision or hope for unity and peace even when it seems at a distance and somewhat unrealistic.  “Left on our own it would be difficult for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula but with God’s power and human obedience to God, all things are possible,” he said. “We need to continue the struggle of bringing God’s people together so that peace and harmony can be restored.” Pillay also noted that Jesus conquered suffering, pain, and death. “God can do the impossible,” Pillay said. “May God`s renewed strength and hope be given to you in this continued journey and may the peace of Christ guide and guard your hearts at all times.” Read the full sermon Photo gallery Watch the recording of the Global Prayer See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland